On Sunday, September 13, 2026, India condemned an attack on the Panama‑flagged oil tanker MT El Gaia off the coast of Oman, which left one Indian seafarer reported missing.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said 13 of the 14 Indian crew members aboard were rescued. The ministry released a statement condemning the attack and confirming the rescue of the majority of Indian nationals.
Search and rescue operations for the missing Indian national are continuing. The Indian embassy in Oman is monitoring the situation and coordinating with Omani authorities. The MEA thanked Omani officials for their support and urged immediate de‑escalation and dialogue to restore peace in the region.
New Delhi has expressed concern over attacks on commercial shipping that often carry Indian seafarers. At the BRICS summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced plans to establish a Seafarers’ Emergency Support Network to protect workers from security risks amid regional conflicts. Ten Indian seafarers have been killed in the West Asia conflict and five more in Black Sea strikes; the MEA called for the restoration of free and safe navigation in international waterways.
